7/13/08

CONGRESSMAN BACHUS REMARKS AT GROUNDBREAKING FOR ALABAMA NATIONAL CEMETERY

Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) delivered the following remarks at groundbreaking ceremonies for the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo on July 13. 

Years from now, Linda and I hope to bring our grandchildren to this site.  They will doubtless ask: “Grandy, who is buried here?” As a young man I would have responded "Soldiers” and “Veterans” and talked of their Service.  It might have ended there. Now I will start by telling them that those are the graves of Fathers and Mothers, Sons and Daughters, Husbands and Wives, Brothers and Sisters, Grandparents, maybe a favorite Uncle or Cousin, a high school buddy or a College Roommate, a best friend or a favorite childhood playmate. I will talk about their sacrifice, bravery and patriotism. I will tell them it is about respect and honor. But most of all I will tell them it’s about Love, our love for them and more importantly, their love for us. How much we loved them and how much they loved us. A love that is deep and abiding. A bond that is sacred and eternal.  This cemetery is a living testimony to that Love.  I know they will not fully understand. But one day, when they are much older, they will.